Tailoring ultrafiltration membranes with chemically modified human hair waste for improved permeability and antifouling performance

• Published in: Sustainable chemistry and pharmacy 2024-02, Vol.37, p.101417, Article 101417
• Main Authors: Aldawsari, Abdullah M., Hassan, Hassan M.A., Alsohaimi, Ibrahim Hotan, Algamdi, Mohammad S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fouling resistance; Human hair waste; Sulfonated polyethersulfone; Water flux
• ISSN: 2352-5541; 2352-5541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2023.101417

Human hair, a pervasive waste product, has the potential to pose environmental challenges due to its widespread accumulation. Therefore, exploring of alternatives that repurpose this waste into a valuable raw material aligns with the principles of the circular economy. This study introduces a novel protocol for crafting biohybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with tailored charges, enhanced hydrophilicity, and notable attributes of high flux, rejection rate, and resistance to fouling. These membranes have been engineered by combining sulfonated poly(ethersulfone) (SPES) with chemically modified human hair (HH) filler, referred to as HH-SO3-NH2, utilizing the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) approach. The preparation of HH-SO3-NH2 involved converting of oxidized thiol groups within human hair to sulfonic acid. Subsequently, 1 and 3 wt percent of HH-SO3-NH2 were integrated into the SPES matrix to formulate the biohybrid membranes. After incorporating HH-SO3-NH2, the biohybrid membranes changed in mechanical properties, porosity, and surface morphology, resulting in increased hydrophilicity. The pure water flux exhibited a systematic rise with higher HH-SO3-NH2 content-specifically, the hybrid membrane with 3 wt% HH-SO3-NH2 achieved a water flux of 239 L m−2 h−1 at 1 bar feed pressure, representing a 1.5-fold increase compared to the bare membrane's 175 L m−2 h−1 flux. The anti-fouling performance was assessed using humic acid (HA) and the hybrid membranes demonstrated removal efficiency of HA exceeding 99% without compromising rejection rates. [Display omitted] •Repurposing human hair waste aligns with circular economy ideals, addressing its environmental impact.•Biohybrid membranes were made by combining SPES with chemically modified human hair using the NIPS method.•Incorporating HH induced changes in mechanical, porosity, and surface morphology, leading to enhanced hydrophilicity.•The hybrid membranes effectively removed over 99% of HA without compromising rejection rate.